JACOB Rees-Mogg turned the questioning on the BBC Daily Politics host Jo Coburn and challenged her for “picking on the views of the Catholic church”.

Mr Rees-Mogg defended his views and asked why the ancient teachings of the church were not being tolerated in public life.

He said: “I make no criticism of any of my colleagues but do you believe in religious tolerance?

“So why do you pick on this view of the Catholic church?

“I am asking you, why do you pick on the views of the Catholic church?

BBC presenter Jo Coburn responded: “I am saying there are people who might have a problem with it.”

Mr Rees-Mogg did not let the matter drop and hit back: “You are saying that tolerance only goes so far and you should not be tolerant of the teaching of the Catholic church, so isn’t this stretching into religious bigotry?

Jo Coburn continued: “Is it a barrier, do you think, to holding high office?”

The arch-Brexiteer added: “Ah that is a different question and it is really important to get to the heart of this because this country believes in religious tolerance, we are a very tolerant nation.

“The act of tolerance is to tolerate things you do not agree with not just ones you do agree with and the problem with liberal tolerance is it has got to the point of only tolerating what it likes.

The BBC host responded angrily: “Do not assume what I think or that I am attacking I am raising an issue that your colleagues have also raised.”

Mr Rees-Mogg said: “The Catholic church of great antiquity has taught these things and it is absolutely legitimate for Catholics in public and private life to believe and accept the teaching of the Catholic church as it is for Muslims to believe the teachings of Islam and likewise for Anglicans, agnostics, and atheists.”

Democrat Dianne Feinstein last year similarly questioned whether one of Trump’s judicial nominees should be barred from the bench for her Catholic faith.

For leftists, tolerance is a one-way street.

Here’s some reactions from Twitter:

As an atheist I find all religious belief ridiculous however I do find it disturbing the BBC subjects Christians to this sort of inquisition but would never in a million years subject an MP of a different faith to such a grilling.

The BBC is a disgrace. He should not have been subject to such questioning. If that is there angle the they should have the same line of questioning for others.May should move over and allow him to take control of the Cons. May is too weak to lead the party

Pretty shocking line of questionning no @BBCNews reporter would ever ask a practising Muslim/Jew whether their religious views would preclude them from office.@Jacob_Rees_Mogg Is very open and honest about his moral position on these questions.